Boxer turned mixed martial artist Heather Hardy saw her weigh-in for Bellator 194 go sideways on Thursday.
Heather Hardy has made quite a splash in her short mixed martial arts career thus far. The popular fighter has been an overnight sensation in Bellator, despite sporting just a 1-1 record in MMA. However, her pedigree as a championship boxer, and sheer toughness, cannot be denied.
However, Hardy was making news for all the wrong reasons on Thursday when, in a moment of confusion, she failed to make weight for tomorrow’s fight against Ana Julaton. This, despite being just two ounces over the flyweight limit, with her clothes on, and not being allowed a second attempt. Not only that, but Hardy believed she had made weight, as she explained to MMA Fighting after the episode. “I was two ounces over and they gave me the allowance for the bikini top and bottom without making me strip in front of he room” she said.
It came as a shock that the Mohegan Sun commission did not give her the allowance, something common in boxing. Instead, Mike Mazzulli, the commission’s director, said she was “confused” and had not been speaking to him on the scale. “I was concerned about her health and safety. I wasn’t going to put her on the scale with no clothes on and I certainly wasn’t going to let her continue cutting weight.”
The end result is that Hardy has been forced to hand over 20% of her purse to opponent Ana Julaton. While Hardy will have the option to appeal, right now, she’s too busy focused on the task at hand. “It’s too petty to worry about. But now, I’m really going to hit her like she owes me money.”
Bellator 194 takes place February 16 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The main card airs live on The Paramount Network starting at 9PM ET.
